“Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event…” The WWE video leads us into the show.

A recap of Batista’s and Rey Mysterio’s friendship plays followed by Batista’s destruction of Mysterio at Bragging Rights. Tonight we’ll see the fallout of the betrayal.

The Smackdown video plays and we’re brought into the arena to the sounds of Rodney Mack’s music. Alas, my favorite superstar isn’t returning – it’s only General Manager Teddy Long. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcome us to the “A” show, which has a Halloween theme tonight.

Teddy Long gets in the ring and congratulates Team Smackdown for beating Team Raw at Bragging Rights. That proves without a shadow of a doubt that Friday night is home to the superior show in WWE. Bragging Rights was an historic night for Smackdown but it was also a disturbing one. When Batista attacked his longtime friend Rey Mysterio, Long knew that the WWE Universe would want an explanation from Batista for his actions so later tonight they will have a “heart to heart” to settle their differences. That brings Long to the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series, the Big Show.

Chris Jericho’s music hits and he comes out with his Unified Tag Team Titles as well as the Bragging Rights trophy. As he comes out we see still photos of the Bragging Rights match. Jericho gets in the ring and is quickly cut off by Long. Long says that trophy is the property of Smackdown and takes it from him. That’s the last we’ll see of that probably. Jericho says that trophy belongs to him because he’s the genius who won Bragging Rights for the Smackdown team. Jericho says he didn’t do it for Long or us hypocritical sycophants. He did it for himself, proving once again that he’s the best in the world at what he does. Jericho says for Long to give Big Show a World Title match instead of him behind his back is one of the most underhanded, devious decisions he’s ever made. Jericho says he’s the crown jewel of the show and the face of the show. Jericho says he single handedly brought glory to Smackdown and he should be number one contender.

Kane’s music hits and the co-captain of Team Smackdown makes his way to the ring. Kane asks if he heard Jericho right saying he single handedly won the match. Kane reminds him that he was co-captain of Team Smackdown which means that the trophy and all the Bragging Rights belong to him as much as Jericho. If there’s anyone who deserves a title opportunity against the Undertaker it’s him, not Big Show or Jericho.

Jericho says Kane must be suffering from a case of selective memory because he’s the one who got the winning pinfall. Besides, his track record against the Undertaker is spotty at best. Jericho tells him to save his delusions of grandeur and be thankful that because of him he got his hand raised in victory. Jericho tells him to remember that he’s the hero of Smackdown and us germ incubators. Jericho tells him to turn around and get out of his face because he’s the captain. Kane all of a sudden grabs Jericho by the throat and Teddy Long implores him not to Chokeslam him. Kane releases him.

Long says the Undertaker will defend the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series as the contract has already been signed. However, if Raw is going to have a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Title then Smackdown will do the same. There will be a Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Title. Long says that Kane and Jericho did a tremendous job representing Smackdown at Bragging Rights but only one of them can be rewarded. So tonight Kane will go one on one with Chris Jericho and the winner will be inserted into the World Title Match at Survivor Series against Big Show and Undertaker!

-Commercial Break-

The announcers reiterate that we’ll see Chris Jericho take on Kane with the winner going to Survivor Series to face Undertaker and Big Show.

John Morrison makes his way out for a match. His opponent will be Dolph Ziggler, who comes out with a microphone. Ziggler says for a show that has a lot to brag about, he’s got to say that he really likes his chances because everyone did their part. Tonight he’s facing the only superstar on the Smackdown roster who didn’t win. Morrison says that’s fair enough but asks what all the “we” talk is about. Morrison says he doesn’t remember seeing Ziggler at Bragging Rights so his gloating is premature, something Ziggler is no stranger to. Just ask Maria! Oh snap!

John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler

This will be a non-title match. They circle the ring and lock up. They tussle to the corner and are broken up by the referee. They lock up again but this time Morrison gets a waist lock and hits a single leg takedown. Morrison gets a front face lock on and Ziggler counters out and gets a side headlock on. Morrison whips him off and gets shoulder blocked down. Ziggler goes into the ropes, over and under Morrison, then over him, counters a hip toss, and runs right into a one man flapjack. Morrison hits a STANDING Shooting Star Press for a near fall.

Ziggler teases a test of strength and underhandedly tries for a knee but Morrison knocks him right over. Morrison charges and Ziggler lifts him face first right into the ring post. This gets Ziggler a two count. Ziggler grounds and pounds Morrison for a few seconds. Ziggler scoops him up and slams him right back down, dropping a big elbow for a two count. Ziggler locks on a chin lock. Morrison fights up and punches out. Ziggler throws Morrison sternum first into the corner and hits an inside out suplex for a two count. We’ll take a break here.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Morrison locked in a tight chin lock. Didn’t we just leave this party? Morrison tries to fight out so Ziggler slams him down by his hair. Ziggler hits a rolling neck snapper and covers for a two count. Ziggler rubs Morrison’s face in the mat and smashes it. Ziggler locks the chin lock back on. Ziggler locks on a body scissors for good measure but Morrison still gets to his feet. Morrison hits some knees but Ziggler clubs him and gets a front face lock on. Morrison counters out with a back body drop.

They trade punches with Morrison coming out on top. Morrison hits a clothesline and forearm shiver. Morrison sends him into the ropes and hits a calf kick for a near fall. Morrison goes for the Moonlight Drive but Ziggler counters out. Ziggler attempts a neckbreaker but Morrison counters into the backslide for a two count. Morrison hits some punches but Ziggler twists a whip into a powerslam for a two count. Ziggler slaps Morrison and talks some trash. Ziggler goes for the Zig Zag but Morrison counters into a catapult but Ziggler lands on the second rope. Morrison avoids his dive and hits the Flying Chuck for a near fall when Ziggler gets his foot on the bottom rope. Morrison goes for Starship Pain but Ziggler gets out of the ring. Morrison goes for an over the top rope splash but Ziggler moves and he lands on the apron. Ziggler sweeps his legs out from under him and he crashes to the outside. Ziggler then hits an impressive wheelbarrow slam on the announcer’s table and rolls into the ring before he gets counted out. Dolph Ziggler finally gets a win over John Morrison!

Winner by Count-Out: Dolph ZigglerMatch Rating: **

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker talk a little more about Batista and Rey Mysterio before bringing us to another video highlight of the attack. Batista will give an explanation later tonight.

-Commercial Break-

Teddy Long is admiring the Bragging Rights trophy in his office. Vince McMahon walks in and high fives him. McMahon congratulates him and says if Long keeps it up he might come off the probation. CM Punk walks up and asks if Long is out of his mind. Punk says Big Show, a guy who isn’t even on the roster, has a World Title shot against Undertaker at Survivor Series. Then later tonight we’ll see a match to determine who will enter the triple threat. Long asks what’s wrong with that and Punk says it’s his match. Punk says he’d be in that match if it wasn’t for Scott Armstrong’s shoddy officiating. McMahon stops him and says he’ll give Punk what he wants. Punk asks if it’s the match at Survivor Series and McMahon says “no.” It’ll be CM Punk taking on referee Scott Armstrong. CM Punk smiles and thanks Mr. McMahon as he walks off.

Jenny Brooks vs. Beth Phoenix

Matt Striker fills us in on the jobber Jenny Brooks. She has history with Beth Phoenix – she is the only one who beat her in amateur wrestling. The bell rings and they lock up. Phoenix quickly powers her down and kicks her. Phoenix lays in some right hands and kicks her in the ribs, sending her crashing to the outside. That was a nasty spill. Phoenix smiles as Brooks struggles to get back in. Phoenix pulls her in by the hair. Phoenix lifts her up with a beautiful delayed vertical suplex. Phoenix picks her up by the throat and hits a choke backbreaker. Phoenix throws her into the corner hard, picks her up, throws her into the ropes, and floors her with a hammer fist. Phoenix hits a nice Glam Slam, fixes her hair, and covers her for the win.

Matt Striker thanks Divide the Day for the use of their song “Let it Roll,” Smackdown’s official theme song. They’re seen in the front row.

EXCUSE ME! Vickie Guerrero makes her way out to the stage dressed as a princess. She requests to be called Princess Vickie Guerrero. Guerrero introduces her “Prince Charming” Eric Escobar. Escobar is still getting zero heat.

Eric Escobar vs. Matt Hardy

My favorite referee Charles Robinson has this one. They circle the ring and Hardy quickly gets a waist lock. Hardy clubs Escobar, ducks a clothesline, and hits some punches. Hardy has a whip reversed on him and Escobar hits a back elbow. Hardy avoids an elbow drop and dropkicks him onto the second rope. Hardy goes into the ropes and jumps on his back. Hardy hits a back elbow in the corner and punches him. Charles Robinson backs him up and Escobar hits him with some punches. Escobar whips him to the opposite corner and charges but Hardy moves. Hardy hits a clothesline in the corner and connects with a bulldog. Hardy goes to the top rope but Escobar cuts him off. Escobar climbs the ropes and Hardy back elbows him off. Hardy then hits a moonsault for a two count. Hardy may have tweaked his knee.

Escobar kicks the knee and really works on it. Escobar yanks on it and kicks it before locking on a heel hook. Escobar drops an elbow on it and locks on the leg lock. Hardy punches out of it and boots Escobar in the corner. Escobar body slams Hardy into the ropes. That looked good. Escobar picks him up and mouths off to the crowd, allowing Hardy to hit the Twist of Fate out of nowhere for the win. That was way too sudden. Is Escobar on his way out?

Winner by Pinfall: Matt HardyMatch Rating: * ¼

Still to come tonight is Chris Jericho versus Kane. The winner goes to Survivor Series.

We see a video of Batista kicking Mysterio in the head at Bragging Rights. Rey Mysterio, wearing an awesome Ed Hardy jacket, is seen walking backstage. We’ll see him next.

-Commercial Break-

We see the video footage of Batista’s attack on Rey Mysterio following the World Heavyweight Championship match at Bragging Rights. Batista really ripped him apart.

Rey Mysterio walks out to the ring without his usual pyro spots. He slowly walks to the ring and gets in. Mysterio says we all just saw the video – at Bragging Rights, after the match, Dave Batista beat him down real bad. As much as Batista hurt him physically the pain inside him was greater because of the fact that he considered Batista his best friend in the whole world, and he still does. Mysterio says ever since Sunday he’s been playing the tape over and over in his head. At first he was angry but then he thought about what was really important – Batista is his family. Mysterio says he owes him the benefit of the doubt, regardless of how disappointed he is. Mysterio says he knows Batista is back there and won’t leave until they straighten this out like the men and family they are.

Batista’s music hits and at first we hear a big pop but then boos are piped in. Batista walks out with a black shirt and sunglasses on, looking none too happy. Batista grabs a microphone and asks if Mysterio is disappointed because he hurt him. Batista says Mysterio doesn’t get it. Batista says he doesn’t realize how bad this can get for Mysterio. Batista asks who he is calling him out. Batista says he’ll be the bigger man and give him one opportunity to walk out of the ring. Mysterio starts moving toward the ropes and says “no.”

Mysterio says he came out to straighten things out between them. They’ve been through a lot together. It was a Fatal Four Way match – what did Batista want him to do? Not try? Mysterio is willing to let bygones be bygones – that’s how much their friendship means to him. Mysterio says Batista is like his big brother and he looks up to him. Mysterio says brothers fight all the time but what they have here will last a lot longer than their careers. When they finish with wrestling they’ll still be family. Batista just looks at him with no emotion. Mysterio asks what he’s thinking.

Batista asks what Mysterio is thinking. Batista tells him what he’s thinking – what little effort it took him to hurt him so much and what is he going to do now that Big Dave isn’t protecting him. Batista also says Mysterio is thinking he shouldn’t have stabbed him in the back. Now Mysterio is thinking what Batista is going to do to him if he doesn’t get out of the ring right now. Mysterio asks if Batista is serious and Batista says he knows him. Batista asks if Mysterio thinks he’s lying. Mysterio says if he’d have known what would have happened he never would have done what he did. Batista says now he knows. Mysterio says the biggest mistake was accepting to be in the match. Batista gives him one more chance to turn around and get out of the ring.

Mysterio defiantly says no and says he’ll stand his ground. He came out to straighten things out and he won’t leave until he does. Mysterio tells him to look at everything they’ve been through, all the times, and to look at Eddie. Batista coldly says, “Eddie’s dead,” and says he’s not thinking about him, what they’ve been through, or Mysterio – he’s thinking about himself. Batista smirks at Mysterio, throws his microphone down, and leaves the ring. That was a solid segment.

-Commercial Break-

Batista is walking backstage when Matt Hardy comes up to him. Hardy says he knows how close he and Mysterio were – just like brothers. Hardy says he wants to reach out to Batista because there’s thing he did to Jeff that he wishes he could take back and warns Batista to not do anything he’ll regret with Rey. Hardy tells him not to make the same mistakes he did. Batista scoffs and walks off. All of a sudden Batista returns and throws Hardy into a fence. Batista stands over him before walking away.

The Smack of the Night is the five on four tag team match from last week. This changed the complexion of Team Smackdown for Bragging Rights.

Drew McIntyre walks out to the ring dressed to compete. McIntyre grabs a mic and congratulates Team Smackdown on their victory. McIntyre wants to make himself clear – he never wanted to be on that team in the first place as he intends to make his own impact. Unfortunately for his opponent tonight the party is over.

Finlay’s music hits and he makes his way out to the ring. As Finlay enters the ring, McIntyre kicks him in the face and knocks him to the ground. McIntyre throws Finlay into the steel steps and stomps him on the head before grounding and pounding him. The referee tries to stop him but can’t as McIntyre kicks Finlay hard in the back. Finlay writhes in pain as McIntyre smiles and walks away.

Still to come tonight is Kane versus Chris Jericho with the winner going to Survivor Series to face Big Show and Undertaker. Coming up next we’ll see the Diva Halloween Costume Contest.

-Commercial Break-

Did you know that WWECLASSICS.com is the only place you can watch the first 100 episodes of Monday Night Raw?

Cryme Tyme are in the ring. They’re hosting the Diva Halloween Costume Contest. They introduce the Divas. Natalya is a Matador, Layla is Michael Jackson, Michelle McCool is the devil, and Mickie James is Electra (I guess). They all have to do a dance. Natalya has Shad run through her red towel. Layla does an MJ dance which was really well done. McCool dances horribly. I’m not sure if it was on purpose or what but it was bad. Then Mickie James does absolutely nothing and the fans vote for her. Layla was robbed – seriously.

The heels gang up on Mickie James and she slaps Natalya. Mickie ducks the clothesline and Natalya takes Layla’s head off. Mickie hits the Thesz Press on Natalya. McCool kicks Mickie in the head and Mickie botches taking a clothesline. Apparently that’s enough to keep her down. Yikes. When you can’t take a clothesline on a taped show, you’re in trouble.

CM Punk will take on Scott Armstrong next.

-Commercial Break-

CM Punk comes out looking smug. Scott Armstrong comes out to no music – just the old spotlight. He’s walking that old green mile.

CM Punk vs. Scott Armstrong

Jack Doane calls for the bell and the match begins. Punk laughs before shoving Armstrong into the corner, yelling he’d be a four time straightedge champion if he only did his job. Punk pushes and slaps him. Armstrong has heard enough and responds with three strong punches. Armstrong realizes all he did was upset Punk. Punk responds with a kick to the stomach and then to the head. Punk kicks him hard in the back and talks some trash while pushing his head. Punk stomps on his chest before picking him up and delivering the GTS. Punk steps on him for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: CM PunkMatch Rating: No stars

Punk tells him, “When you wake up from your nap, don’t ever, ever forget that I did this to you.”

We see a split screen of Jericho and Kane walking. They’ll face each other next to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship.

-Commercial Break-

Next week Batista will take on Matt Hardy.

Chris Jericho vs. Kane

The winner of this match will go to Survivor Series to face Undertaker and Big Show for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Mike Chioda gets them in opposite corners before calling for the bell. Jericho quickly exits the ring to avoid Kane. He looks a little worried. Jericho gets back in and slaps Kane. Kane smiles and goes for a punch, which Jericho ducks. Jericho hits some punches and kicks. Jericho goes into the ropes, ducks a clothesline, and tries for a cross-body, but Kane catches him and powerslams him for a near fall. Kane snapmares Jericho and dropkicks him in the face for a two count. Kane stomps Jericho in the head.

Jericho gets up and stuns Kane with a punch. Jericho kicks and punches him. Jericho kicks Kane down in the corner. Kane boots Jericho when he comes for a punch. Kane goes for an elbow drop but misses as Jericho rolls out of the way. Jericho dropkicks him in the face for a two count. Jericho hits some more punches but this time Kane catches him by the throat. Jericho gets out of the Chokeslam and takes Kane down for the Walls of Jericho. Jericho can’t turn him and Kane uses his legs to throw Jericho out of the ring. Kane comes out and throws Jericho back in. Jericho kicks Kane in the face as he enters the ring and knocks him off the apron, sending him right into the barricade. This would be a good opportunity to take a commercial.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Jericho stomping on Kane’s head. Who’d have thought you’d see Jericho on top? Jericho chokes him in the corner and punches him some more. Jericho catapults him throat first into the bottom rope and covers for a near fall. Jericho traps the arm and locks on a chin lock. Kane fights up, with Jericho on his back, and goes back hard into the corner. Kane charges but Jericho gets his boot up. Jericho charges and Kane surprises him with a back suplex. That was nice.

Both men get to their feet and Kane hits a pair of clotheslines. Kane whips Jericho into the corner and follows him with a clothesline. Kane hits a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Kane whips Jericho into the ropes. Jericho ducks a clothesline and hits a step-up enzuigiri, knocking Kane out of the ring. Kane gets on the apron so Jericho attempts his springboard dropkick but Kane catches him by the throat. Kane gets in the ring, still holding the throat, and Jericho back elbows out. Jericho goes into the ropes and eats a big boot for a near fall. Kane whips Jericho into the corner and goes for another sidewalk slam, but Jericho flips out and hits a Codebreaker! Jericho slowly crawls over and covers but Kane kicks out at two and a half! Jericho can’t believe it!

Jericho stomps and kicks Kane. Jericho hits a face buster and the Lionsault but Kane catches him by the throat! Kane hits the Chokeslam and Jericho rolls out of the ring! Kane gets out of the ring and throws him back in. Kane covers for a near fall. Kane picks Jericho up and gets him on his shoulder but Jericho slides off and pushes him to the corner. Jericho hits a chop block and locks on the Walls of Jericho! Kane yells in pain and crawls to the ropes, breaking the hold. Jericho runs right into an uppercut. Kane goes to the top rope and Jericho crotches him. Jericho goes for a superplex but Kane punches him off. Kane jumps off the top rope right into the Codebreaker! Jericho covers and gets the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Chris JerichoMatch Rating: ** ½

Chris Jericho is going to Survivor Series. Undertaker will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Big Show and Chris Jericho. Chris Jericho celebrates his win as the show ends.*/ ?>

This was a really good show. I really enjoyed this. We had two solid matches and a really great segment. The things that needed to click definitely did tonight.

The Batista and Rey Mysterio segment was solid as hell tonight. Neither man can be considered one of the better stick men in the business but they pulled it off tonight. The content was really heavy and I’m sure that helped with the emotions. Rey Mysterio trying to get through to Batista felt so real it was scary. Batista was great in the cold delivery of his lines. I got chills when he said “Eddie’s dead.” Normally I hate having Eddie Guerrero’s name being dropped in a promo but its ok here, as long as it doesn’t come back again. This is going to be a great, emotional feud. Over the past two and a half years Batista has bored me to tears. All of a sudden he’s fresh and relevant again with this heel character. This is exactly where he needs to be.

I enjoyed the Jericho versus Kane match tonight. At first I was worried when I heard this was the main event but then I remembered all the great matches they had in 2000. Nine years later they didn’t disappoint. That was a well done heel versus heel match. It was back and forth in your face wrestling. The opening segment was really good as well. My only qualm is about Smackdown’s main event for Survivor Series. It feels unoriginal. We already have DX going against one another at the PPV. Must we see another tag team go at it in the same type of match? It’s not a huge deal – just a question I had.

Scott Armstrong took a beating tonight. His brother Road Dogg must’ve been proud. While I’m one of the few who like to see referees get beat down, this one couldn’t touch my all time favorite referee match. That’s right – I’m talking about Great Khali vs. Charles Robinson from June 2008. That was classic. CM Punk was good in his role tonight but where do they go with him from here? His character has kind of fizzled out in the last month or so. How are they going to get him back on track?

John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler had a good match tonight but the crowd never got into it which was a shame. Count-out wins don’t get anyone excited but the action leading up to that got hardly anything. That was sad.

Everything was pretty good after that. Beth Phoenix squashed the hell out of some girl and the two new guys Drew McIntyre and Eric Escobar got some face time tonight. I think Escobar is going somewhere due to the way he got beat by Matt Hardy tonight. He hasn’t been all too impressive since debuting. Anyone who can’t get heat when the biggest heat magnet in WWE is right next to them is probably doing something wrong. Send him down to my good buddy Dave Stephens’ developmental camp ECW for a while. He can’t be any worse than Tyler Reks!